Despite claims to the contrary, the white iPhone 4 is not thicker than the black iPhone 4.

Consumer Reports found no difference whatsoever between the two models in its research, it said in a statement on Monday.

Though Consumer Reports hasn't yet finished its full test of the white iPhone 4, it said: "When we compared a white iPhone 4 with a black iPhone 4 in our Yonkers, NY, lab using high-quality calipers, we found they were both the same thickness -0.37 inches." A picture on the site appears to confirm this.

Earlier this week Ryan Cash, who works for an app development firm, published images on his blog that he claimed to show that the white version was thicker than the black version by 0.2mm.

However, Apple lists the two models as having the same thickness on its website and the company's senior vice president Phil Schiller reportedly denied that there was any difference between the white iPhone 4 and black iPhone 4.

Image Courtesy: ConsumerReports.org

Apple last week explained the reasons for the delay in the launch of the white iPhone 4, saying that getting enough UV protection for the inner workings of the device from the white paint had been the major issue.

"It was challenging. It's not as simple as making something white. There's a lot more that goes into both the material science of it-how it holds up over time, but also in how it all works with the sensors," Schiller said.

Meanwhile, Apple has extended the shipping times for white iPhone 4s on its website. At launch, shipping times were listed as 3- to 5-days, though over the bank holiday weekend this has now been increased to five days.

Though Orange and T-Mobile have stated that they will sell the white iPhone 4, neither company has it listed on its website.

O2 is only selling the white iPhone 4 through its stores and not online. Tariffs start from £21.50 (or $35) per month on a 24 month contract with 100 minutes, 500 texts, 20MMS, and 500MB of data, and an upfront cost of £304.99 (or $503). O2 also includes tethering as standard.

Three is offering 24 month contracts from £25 a month (or $41) or on The One Plan for £35 a month, including unlimited data, 2,000 any network minutes, 5,000 minutes to other Three handsets and 5,000 texts. There are also pay-as-you-go plans.

Vodafone offers 24-, 18- and 12-month contracts. You can pick up the handset for free on a 24-month, £45 per month (or $74) contract. If you are after something shorter and cheaper, you can get a 12-month, £35 per month deal, though you'll have to stump up £299 (or $493) up front.

This story, "White IPhone 4 'Not Thicker Than Black Model'" was originally published by
Macworld U.K..

To comment on this article and other PCWorld content, visit our Facebook page or our Twitter feed.